SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 498 Offered February 12, 2007 Commending Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288 on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. ---------- Patron-- Herring ----------

WHEREAS, in 2006, Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288, part of the nation's oldest and largest fraternal organization, marked 100 years of dedication to the Freemasons' goal of encouraging personal growth, leadership, fellowship, education, and service; and

WHEREAS, the Ashburn Lodge, one of two lodges in Loudoun County that merged to create Ashburn-Sterling Lodge, was given its original charter by the Grand Lodge of Virginia in February 1906; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Ashburn Lodge have been farmers, merchants, railroad workers, police officers, fire fighters, machinists, doctors, lawyers, state senators, and carpenters, and over the years meetings have been held in a church, a fire house, and above a storefront, among other places; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, the members of Ashburn Lodge laid the cornerstone for a new lodge hall, which was built primarily by lodge members and supported by generous donations from a number of sources; the new lodge hall was dedicated in August 1991 by the Grand Lodge of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, Ashburn Lodge No. 288 and Sterling Lodge No. 268, founded in 1971, merged to become Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288, and the new lodge has continued to support the many missions of the Masonic brotherhood including the Masonic Home of Virginia, the Masonic Relief Fund, the Scholarship Fund, and Shriners Hospitals for Children; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to serving its community, the Ashburn-Sterling Lodge collaborates with the Child Identification Program, which helps parents create detailed identification kits for their children, and sponsors youth groups such as the Rainbow Girls, a service-oriented organization that promotes morality and teaches leadership skills to girls; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288 on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288 as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations on reaching a great milestone and best wishes for future endeavors.